O C T O B E R
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El Semanario
Edison Language Academy – Together Through Two Languages (310) 828-0335 www.edison.smmusd.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS SMMUSD BIKE IT! – WALK IT! DAY Thanks to everyone who tried to leave the car at home and bike, walk, skate or ride a bike to school last week! Although as a school of choice we’re primarily a commuter school, it’s well worth trying to get to school on our own power as often as we can! THE GREAT SHAKE OUT IS COMING --On October 20 (10/20) at 10:20 a.m., Edison along with schools throughout California will be practicing our emergency response systems for dealing with a large earthquake. The students will practice their usual Duck, Cover and Hold and evacuation drills. Our staff members are all assigned to various emergency teams and we will be practicing our roles during that time. Do you have a home safety plan in place in the event of a big quake? We live in earthquake country so it’s important for all of us! HALLOWEEN AT EDISON – Edison has long had the tradition of hosting a schoolwide costume parade – this year on Monday morning, October 31 beginning at 9:00 am. Children are invited to wear costumes to school – but please do not wear masks on the way to school for safety reasons! No pretend weapons, swords, scythes etc. We put on fun Halloween music and parade around the field. Parents are invited to join us (and large numbers usually do!) Bring your cameras! Make sure your child has a change of clothes for the rest of the day. If you would prefer that your child not participate, we will have storytime in the library. Just let your child’s teacher know. PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES are coming at the beginning of November. We have a pupil free day on November 4 and minimum days until November 10. Please check with your child’s teacher for available appointments. For some tips about how to get the most out of parent conferences, join us on Wednesday, November 2 at 8:30 am in the cafeteria.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK: OCTOBER AT EDISON October is a very busy month at Edison. In addition to all the special events detailed in the announcements column, October is prime instructional time for students! October is also the beginning of flu season, so to make illness less likely at this time, pay extra attention to good nutrition, early bedtimes, and good hygiene (including frequent handwashing, and teaching children to cover their mouth or nose with a tissue or a sleeve when they cough or sneeze). The County Health Department also recommends flu vaccinations for everyone except infants under six months of age. If your child does get the flu, then he or she needs to stay home and must be fever free for 24 hours to return to school. Plans are also underway for one of the most distinctive and beloved Edison events -- the Fall Festival and Día de los Muertos celebration. This year the celebration will be held on Saturday, October 29 There are parts of this event that you would find in any other fall carnival -- games and crafts, inflatables, music, and food! But the event is also a cultural observance of Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos. This holiday originated among indigenous peoples in modernday Mexico and Central America and goes back perhaps 2,500-3,000 years. It is about remembering those we love and honoring those who have already left this life. Nearly every culture has its rituals to remember the dearly departed. And collectively we honor the memories of people important to the larger community by inscribing their names on memorials, observing their birthdays as holidays, or naming streets, hospitals and schools after them. Our Edison commemoration of the Day of the Dead incorporates several different cultural traditions, including the custom of the household ofrendas constructed in many homes in Mexico and Central America. Each classroom decorates a table with things that remind us of people (and sometimes pets) that were special to the children in that classroom. You may see food and water, flowers and candles, works of art, notes, and pictures on the altars. A hardworking team of parents is busy organizing the tamalada, the structure for the altars, arts and crafts and food sales. Each year we seem to add something new and rich to the observance. Don’t miss it!
October 19 – PTA Association Meeting 8:30-9:30 AM CAFETERIA
October 31 – Halloween Parade
November 4 - Pupil Free Day for Parent Teacher Conferences